Pubdate: Sun, 27 Jul 2014
Source: Aspen Times, The  (CO)
Copyright: 2014 Aspen Times
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/zKpMPhQ7
Website: http://www.aspentimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3784
Author: LJ Erspamer
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n611/a08.html

POT CLUBS ARE NOT RIGHT FOR THE COMMUNITY

A recent editorial in The Aspen Times ("Marijuana clubs belong in
Aspen," Commentary, July 25) suggests that the City Council approve
pot clubs.

While I do support the current marijuana laws at this time, the
pot-club idea is foolish and shortsighted.

Most shocking in the editorial is the call to create Aspen's identity
as one of a pot culture. The identity of Aspen has evolved over the
years from the history of its people, culture, environment,
architecture and outdoor activities.

We didn't create these criteria; it is from the evolution of these
elements over the years. So to blatantly put a rubber-stamped identity
from a small segment on our community is patently absurd and rather
selfish.

It's obvious, with less than a year of legal recreational marijuana
behind us, that this premature idea is fraught with problems.

The city of Amsterdam, which is foremost in the world in public pot
usage, has made it clear that it is thinking of eliminating pot clubs
due to the many problems they have created.

Does The Aspen Times want these pot clubs to have tables on the mall
to partake in this new endeavor like the Bull Dog Club in Amsterdam?

Just what does The Aspen Times have in mind for the demographics it
wants to attract to our community?

What kind of tourist dollars will be invested in our city from this
group?

Where will our current tourist base go once something like this is
approved?

Where will the young families go that we are seeing in town this
summer?

We need to continue to attract young families that will create a
sustainable economy for future years, and pot clubs would only be a
catalyst for sending our current tourist base to other resort
communities.

The City Council should not rush to make a decision like this until we
have the experience with the current law in place.

The City Council needs to forbid pot candies that could accidentally
be consumed by children, and also it needs to create a potency limit
or disclosure. It should not wait for state laws to address this.

The Aspen Times is confident this will succeed, but it's no skin off
the Times' back if it doesn't. We have too much invested in our
community to take a chance at this time.

I strongly urge the City Council to deny pot clubs at this time and to
wait several years before reviewing this again.

LJ Erspamer

Aspen
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MAP posted-by: Matt